Overview
Available languages
9 hours
Mobile ticket
Elite Volcano Hike
Hike down into Kilauea Caldera on the 2 mile Halema’uma’u Trail, and visit aftermath of the historic 2018 eruption along Kilauea’s coastline. Visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park including Kilauea Visitor Center, Sulphur Banks, the Kilauea Iki Overlook, Volcano House and more. Small-group tour deli-style lunch and dinner included.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
What To Expect
Kaumana Caves Park
Our first stop is Kaumana Caves, part of the lava tube system that brought lava as close as 1.5 miles from downtown Hilo in 1881. Take a peek inside the dramatic cathedral-like space.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Next travel to the crown jewel of the Big Island, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Briefly visit the Kilauea Iki Overlook before heading off on foot down the paved road to Keanakakoi. Check out the activity here from the historic 2018 eruption which buckled the road and caused racks and sinkholes. You’ll get a birds-eye view of the Kilauea Caldera and the enormous Halema’uma’u Crater, along with views of the trail you will take into the Caldera. This trail has been used to hike into the caldera since being established in 1846. Mark Twain was once rescued by native guide Alex Lancaster using this trail. It’s about 2 miles roundtrip taking you past the famous Sulphur Banks, through ancient forests of tree ferns, some as old as 1,000 years. Look for native birds, such as the yellow ‘amakihi and the red ‘apapane. Huge boulders came to rest here during ancient rock slides and eruptions. Look for marks left by previous visitors such as Benjamin Boyd, a Scot, and John Webster, a California artist, from back in 1851. Reaching the floor of Kilauea Calder there is an incredible rock slide to your left, evidence of the 2018 eruption, and Halema’uma’u Crater before you. The Crater increased in size during the eruption with the lava lake draining out of it leaving behind an enormous 1,000 foot deep pit.
Options
Elite Volcano Hike | 9:30 AM
Pickup included
What‘s Included
Bottled water
Lunch
Dinner
Pickup points
Hilo Intl Airport
2450 Kekuanaoa St Hilo United States
Hilo
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
20 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
This was a great way to...
Zachary L,Jan 17, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a great way to experience Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and some other sites. Our guide Henry was knowledgeable and a lot of fun.
A truly amazing experience
scottkA175VT,Aug 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The crater hike and hilo waterfalls tour was an amazing experience, our guide Tory was friendly, knowledgable, and energetic. Her insights and knowledge took the tour from a spectacular view, to an unforgettable experience. The crater hike took us through the Kilauea crater and presented an opportunity to see and learn about the local fauna and flora as well as the geological history of the area. The hilo waterfalls were spectacular to behold.
Volcano Tour With the Best!
shelleyp651,Jul 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We did the volcano tour with Eric and it was hands down the best tour! We got to see Kīlauea erupting and it was exciting! Eric was a lot of fun, knew a lot of “useless information” and made the experience worth it! If you ever get the chance to team up with him, do it!!
Perfect all day experience to see the volcano and environment.
CavuF,Mar 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide, Roxy, was so knowledgeable and enthusiastic! We were fascinated with the volcanoes and as we learned more we kept saying…”oh…look at this rock!”…..”ooohhh…this one is better..look!” Seriously, Roxy gives you her enthusiasm and energy and before long you are caught up in it! We loved every aspect of the tour. Take your time and immerse yourself in this amazing environment. The experience was very professional and safe. The Ford Transit van was comfortable and easy to enter and exit. The food was good; picnic sandwiches and salads (you have a wide variety to choose from) and dinner at Lava Rocks Cafe was really, really good. We especially enjoyed walking out the old road to the viewing location for the active crater. We could see so much better than from the upper road! Awesome! Roxy was knowledgeable about all aspects of the environment: geology, birds, plants, and the entire ecosystem. She paced our experience well.
Great tour and guide to Kilauea.
David K,Nov 6, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We were met at the port of Hilo from our cruise ship, The Pride of America by Victor. There were only 8 in our group, so it was very easy to interact with all of them and Victor. We left the port and our first stop was Rainbow Falls, just out of town. Hilo had eleven inches of rain the night before, which meant the falls were very beautiful and created the rainbow effect, as the name suggests. After this, we set off for the 45 minute journey up to Kilauea. On the way Victor kept us entertained with many interesting facts about the big island of Hawaii and its volcanos. We arrived at the visitor centre and then prepared for our hike. Victor checked that we all felt we were up to the physical challenge and ensured we had adequate water and rain jackets (didn’t need them). The hike is 3.5/4 miles around the crater rim and then down in to the crater, so there is a steep descent and ascent, which will be challenging for some, but fortunately not a problem for our group. The views from the top are spectacular and it feels unworldly on the surface of the crater, walking on fresh volcanic lava. The volcano stopped erupting in September 2024, but there are still many active steam vents, which you get close enough to, to feel the heat. Not sure if I am disappointed I missed this or not, but there was a 4.8 magnitude earthquake there just a few hours before we arrived! All in all, a great day out visiting one of the world’s most famous volcanoes, the day made more enjoyable but the excellent guide, Victor. Thanks again and would definitely recommend.
Great experience ever
chu c,Jul 17, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00When i landed the volcano and saw amazing views and plants, it was really worthy to hike here!!! very nice guide and very great experience ever!
Wonderful volcano hike
Penny C,Dec 2, 2023
- Review from Viator
5.00The hike around the volcano was awesome! Kyle did a great job telling us so many interesting facts about the island. The entire tour was very interesting and enjoyable. I would recommend this tour for anyone wanting a unique experience. The waterfalls was really neat even if it was raining.
Magical experience
WMCMAHON1345,Sep 19, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We did the hike during the recent eruption of Kīlauea. The hike down to the crater was as described and required a reasonable level of physical fitness, due to the 500 ft of descent and then, after a walk across the crater, climb back to the start point. One of the people on the tour was having some difficulty on the climb, but our guides Andre and Victor were fantastic. They were extremely knowledgeable and kept everyone entertained, while making sure that noone was left behind. Following the hike and lunch, we went to the view point, from which we could see the eruption. We were about a mile away, but could feel the heat from the volcano on the front of our legs, while our backs were warmed by the sun. Victor lent us binoculars for a better view and we were told why a closer encounter would not have been a good idea. We were also taken to the steam vents, where we could safely feel some of the heat from underground.
Neat way to see the volcanos in Hawaii
Becca S,Jul 11, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Marcus was our guide and we enjoyed the tour with him. **It is 4000ft up, so take a light sweater/jacket - even in the summer. It was around 85 when we left the cruise port for this adventure and was down to 64 when we entered the park to start the hike. The wind made it feel cooler. I ended up spending $50 on a sweatshirt at the visitor center that I prob didn't need after all but was initially freezing when we got out of the van. I did warm up on the hike and took it off but just note to take a light jacket. The volcano park is nice, lots of cool things to see. The volcano hiking was fun and interesting, the area is really neat. Loved walking down on the lava beds and lower floor areas of the volcano. It was steaming but no red flowing lava when we were there but was some the week prior.
Elite Volcano Hike
maureensU3846WW,Dec 7, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Nate is the best. He went out of his way to give us extra time, knowledge, and experiences. Legend!!
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Operated by Kapohokine Adventures